Photos by Susan Urmy.
UPDATED: To see a video of the United Voices of Vanderbilt singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” followed by the choir and André Churchwell singing “Go Down, Moses,” click here.
André Churchwell, MD, chief diversity officer for VUMC, stepped from behind the podium where he had been speaking, took his place in front of the United Voices of Vanderbilt choir and sang lead in a moving rendition of the spiritual “Go Down, Moses,” as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Morning Tribute, held Monday, Jan 15.
The event, which has become a VUMC tradition on the King holiday, was held in the North Lobby of Light Hall as the opening event to the observation of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday at the Medical Center. The Morning Tribute is sponsored by the Office for Diversity Affairs and Vanderbilt University Medical Center Human Resources.
Traci Nordberg, JD, chief human resources officer, noted that on a day-to-day basis there are steps everyone can take to live King’s legacy. “We will continue to support events like this,” she promised.
“This is an important day in the context of what’s going on in our country,” Churchwell said. He recalled the recent “Hidden VUMC Figures” event, which was a tribute to employees who have made significant long-term contributions to the Medical Center, often behind-the-scenes, and spoke of “world-class people, many of whom are anonymous,” who have helped build and continue to support the Medical Center. He urged the audience to think of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words and actions throughout the course of the day.
